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Creep catcher arrested after targeting innocent victim

Vigilante Chase Karnes, a 21-year-old Saskatoon resident from Calgary, says he executed an alleged pedophile sting earlier this week as way to help better the community and protect children, but Saskatoon police say these types of investigations should be left to police. (Morgan Modjeski/The Saskatoon StarPhoenix)

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A car crash ended in criminal charges against a Saskatchewan Creep Catcher when he went after an innocent victim in what may be a case of mistaken identity, police said.

Lloydminster RCMP were called to a collision around 10 p.m. on July 22 between a car and a parked vehicle, said Cpl. Ronald Bumbry in an interview on Friday.

The man, who Mounties describe as the innocent victim in a case that may have been mistaken identity, crashed the car while trying to flee a vigilante.

"In regards to this individual, he was innocent and was approached by the accused in this matter," Bumbry said. "We're not sure if it was a mistaken identity, or how this individual targeted this person, or why. We have determined that the victim here, for whatever means, was picked when he was attending a restaurant."

The victim was outside a restaurant when an unknown man approached him and started recording a video of the victim, accusing him of trying to meet a young boy.

The victim tried to flee in his car, but the suspect followed him. When the victim stopped his car, the suspect blocked the vehicle and demanded the victim get out.

The victim then backed up, hitting a parked car in the process. He was able to escape and call the police.

A witness to the hit and run and a Facebook video helped identify the suspect.

Bumbry said all individuals — police or otherwise — are required to respect the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and operate within the law.

He was released on a recognizance with court conditions and is scheduled to appear in Lloydminster provincial court on Aug. 28.

The Regina Leader-Post spoke with Karnes, who was working as part of a group that calls itself Creep Catchers, an unaffiliated group of people who attempt to prevent child sexual abuse by posing as minors, using chat rooms and dating sites to lure adults willing to meet the minor for sex, and then exposing the adult by publicly posting videos of the incident.

"We have advised we would never work with anyone to implement an operation such as the ones these groups are attempting," Bumbry said.

Bumbry said anyone who suspects a crime should contact their local police detachment.